Written by

The Associated Press

MADISON — Republicans and Gov. Scott Walker spent more than twice as much as his recall election challenger Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Democratic supporters.

A report released Wednesday by the government watchdog group the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign finds that of the $81 million spent on the race, Walker and his allies spent $58.7 million. Barrett and Democrats spent $22 million.

The report finds that the 15 recall races in 2011 and this year cost $137 million.

The money spent on Walker’s race was more than double the previous record spending of $37.4 million in Walker’s 2010 campaign.

Walker won the June 5 recall by 7 points.

Of the 15 races, only three incumbent Republicans were tossed from office. That gave Democrats a slim 17-16 majority in the state Senate.